This Secret Setup Tip Added 30 Yards to My Drive, Try It Today

The Problem with Most Amateur Driver Setups

Alex starts by identifying a common mistake: many amateur golfers set up in a way that actually works against their ability to hit up on the ball. They lean too far forward, have their shoulders level, and position the ball too far back in their stance. This causes a downward angle of attack, resulting in low launch, high spin, and weak ball flight.

Even worse, many players swing harder to compensate, which only leads to more inconsistency and off-center hits.

The fix isn’t to swing harder. It’s to swing smarter, by optimizing your setup for distance.

The Secret Setup Changes

Alex introduces three subtle but powerful setup adjustments that dramatically improve driver performance.

1. Forward Ball Position
Move the ball slightly forward in your stance, just inside your lead heel. This encourages the club to strike the ball on the upswing rather than on the way down. Hitting up on the ball reduces spin and increases launch angle, both of which are key for gaining distance.

2. Upper Body Tilt Away from the Target
Tilt your spine slightly so that your trail shoulder sits lower than your lead shoulder at address. This promotes a positive angle of attack and allows the clubhead to travel on a shallower, sweeping path through the ball.

3. Foot Flare and Stance Width
Add a slight flare to your lead foot and widen your stance just a bit. This promotes better hip rotation and allows you to stay more centered during the swing, giving you more stability and a better chance to rotate through the ball fully.

These changes may seem minor, but when combined, they align your body in a way that promotes effortless power, cleaner contact, and optimal launch conditions.

Why This Setup Works

Alex explains that driver distance is largely a result of launch angle, spin rate, and strike location on the clubface. When you set up correctly:

You increase your angle of attack, allowing the ball to launch higher
You reduce backspin, which helps the ball carry further and roll out
You improve strike location, which maximizes energy transfer from club to ball

Instead of swinging harder and hoping for more distance, you’re simply allowing your body to deliver the club in a more effective position.

Real-Time Results and Comparisons

In the video, Alex shares before-and-after comparisons using both ball flight visuals and launch monitor data. The difference is dramatic. With his old setup, the ball launches lower, spins more, and travels shorter. With the adjusted setup, launch angle increases, spin rate drops, and total distance improves by 20 to 30 yards.

Importantly, he doesn’t change his swing at all. The results come purely from setup changes, proving that the foundation of a powerful drive starts before the club even moves.

Range Routine to Lock in the Tip

To help you implement this driver setup tip, Alex offers a simple range routine.

Step One: Ball Position Check
Use an alignment stick or club on the ground to ensure the ball is positioned just inside your lead heel. Rehearse this position several times to make it your new normal.

Step Two: Shoulder Tilt Drill
Stand in your driver stance and practice tilting your upper body away from the target. Your trail shoulder should sit noticeably lower than your lead shoulder. Use a mirror or video to check your posture.

Step Three: Tee Height and Setup Walk-In
Tee the ball high enough so half the ball sits above the crown of your driver. Combine that with your forward ball position and tilt, and you’ll be in perfect position to swing up through the ball.

Who This Tip Is For

This driver setup tip works for virtually every golfer. Whether you’re a beginner struggling with low drives, a senior trying to reclaim lost distance, or a mid-handicapper looking for more consistency off the tee, these changes can make an immediate difference.

Alex emphasizes that if you’re not seeing results from swing tweaks, you might not need to change your swing at all. You just need to optimize your setup for the modern driver.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs in golf come from the smallest changes. Alex Elliott’s strange but effective setup tip proves that optimizing posture, ball position, and body tilt can add serious distance to your drives without changing your swing or swinging harder.

If you’re tired of watching your playing partners outdrive you or frustrated by low, spinning tee shots, this setup change could be your ticket to longer, straighter drives. It’s a quick fix with massive upside, and it just might be the best-kept distance secret in amateur golf.